The Joy of Silhouettes

I have a thing for silhouettes on book covers. I find them beautiful. A simple outline seems to do so much more than a detailed object or person in conveying the mood of the book. They’re mysterious and, in the case of human silhouettes, they act as a blank canvas, allowing us to project whatever face we want onto it.
Here are (quite a lot of!) my favourite covers that have nailed the art of the outline.
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Design: Cherie Chapman
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Design: Christina Griffiths
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Design: Cinnamon Curtis
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Design: Ellie Game
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Design: Jeff Miller
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Design: Fearn & Roberto de Vicq
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Design: Glenn O'Neill
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Design: Gray318
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Design: Helen Crawford-White
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Illustration: Rob Ryan
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Design: Jan Gerardi, Art: Beth White
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Design: Jason Ramirez
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Design: Joanna Hunt
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Design: Julia Lloyd
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Design: Julia Lloyd
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Design: Lynn Buckley
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Design: Lynn Buckley
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Design: Mecob
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Design: Nathan Burton
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Design: Rabab Adams, Illustration: Sue Gent
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Design: Rich Deas & Anna Booth
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Design: Richard Bravery, Illustration: Karan Singh
Vyki Hendy
Editor, artworker and lifelong bibliophile.